Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bradshaw, NE

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of substance abuse by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample can offer a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is first processed into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While it’s a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be verified for court admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptively positive results at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to necessary confirmation. The laboratory process—spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation—adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is ISO / IEC 17025 accredited.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Difficult to cheat: It is exceedingly hard to tamper with hair drug tests, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Differences like hair color and individual growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", it’s the hair strand that’s analyzed in the test, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is outperforming traditional urine tests in multiple areas, especially in Bradshaw, NE. The superiority is evident through its enhanced detection accuracy and robustness, offering insights well beyond immediate consumption periods. This makes it an essential tool for those enforcing drug policies, positioning it above urine tests in both precision and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

With its exceptional extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Bradshaw, NE, provides insights into drug use spanning as far back as 90 days. This capability ensures that employers receive a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance usage history. By utilizing this testing method, workplaces can confidently ensure a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bradshaw, NE, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant method of drug testing. The integrity of these tests is maintained as they significantly mitigate the risk of sample adulteration. The results delivered are unquestionable and reliable, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Bradshaw, NE, benefits significantly from the convenient availability of nationwide testing centers. This network ensures that testing services remain accessible and hassle-free, offering quick results without undue delay. Whether locally or across the nation, these locations provide essential services with unparalleled efficiency and convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The entire process, from ordering to receiving results, remains simple and confidential in Bradshaw, NE. Concerns about privacy are swiftly addressed as hair follicle testing ensures discreet handling of all tests. The ease of use stands out, making this the preferred choice for individuals and businesses alike, maintaining confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, Bradshaw, NE, avails top-tier hair follicle testing services that represent great value. The competitive cost structures enhance productivity without breaking the budget. Businesses can confidently rely on swift results without compromising on quality, whether large enterprises or small companies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bradshaw, NE, hair follicle testing stands as a beacon of reliability due to its fast and accurate results. The test's precision in determining past drug use makes it an excellent choice for those needing clear conclusions. When rapid turnaround and decisive outcomes are crucial, this method provides a confidence that ensures decisions are made based on accurate data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bradshaw, NE, gain compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle tests. This modern approach to drug testing guarantees adherence to workplace policies, reducing legal implications. Through comprehensive testing, businesses also enhance safety, creating a better working environment for everyone involved.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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